“Ay! and all the patriotic sons of Japan!”

“And what do these sons of Japan propose to do? What are the plans of the Prince Mori?”

“My lady!”

“Pray, why do you start so, Keiki-sama?”

“You ask a weighty question with the same lightness you would bestow if inquiring about the weather!”

“Then the tones of my voice do me injustice.”

“Wistaria, I swear I will not speak another word on this subject. No—not even to you.”

“But—”

“No, no. I swear I will not.”

“My lord—”